Body grounding device



BODY GROUNDING DEVICE Filed July 17, 1967 Wang/Emmi; 0" a er e e 8 BY QMZMZZZ ATTORN EY United States Patent 3,377,509 BODY GROUNDING DEVICE Walter G. Legge, 1200 S. Ocean Blvd Boca Raton, Fla. 33432 Filed July 17, 1967, Ser. No. 653,985 4 Claims. (Cl. 317-2) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A body grounding device for wearing on the shoe of the user in which a tubular element fabricated of flexible and conductive material is strapped under the instep of the shoe. A metallic conductor is inserted within the element and both the element and the conductor are electrically connected to a body contacting member. Surface contact is made between the two conductive components which serve together to provide a foot pad and a resistive combination of elements which together present a lower resistance in the static electricity discharged circuit of the device than either component individually.

This invention relates to electrical conductors and, in particular, to a body grounding device for conducting electrostatic charges from a person to the ground on supporting surface.

The invention contemplates a grounding device adapted to be worn on the shoe of the user and providing a conductive material under the shoe to allow electrical charge to dissipate through such material and its supporting surface which is assumed to have some conductive properties. According to the present invention, the conductive material under the shoe is in the form of a hollow tube in which is inserted a metallic conductor electrically connected to the users body. When the user steps on the tubing it closes to make face contact with the conductor along a substantial part of its entire length. The conductive tube and its internal metal conductor together provide a resistance which is lower than either component individually, thus facilitating harmless dissipation of charges that would otherwise accumulate on the users body.

The grounding device also provides an alternative means for contacting the foot or leg of the user and means for assuring security of the device on each shoe of the user.

One object of the invention is to provide a body grounding device having improved means for assuring harmless dissipation of accumulated charges. Alternative body contact means afford an advantage to the user over prior devices of similar character.

Other objects and advantages of the invention may be appreciated on reading the following detailed description of one embodiment thereof which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a perspective showing the entire combination of elements comprising the new and improved body grounding device;

FIG. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of FIG. I; and

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawings the shoe of the user of the improved ground conducting device is identified by the letter S. The device consists primarilyof a resilient strap 6 worn about the instep of the shoe S. Disposed under the shoe is a flexible tube 3 of resilient material impregnated with graphite or some other conductive element. An elongated conductor 10 is inserted within the tube and projects from each side thereof. The strap 6 is permanently attached at each end to the respective ends of the conductor 10. Sponge rubber 12 is used to plug each end of the tube.

A double plate and socket combination 14 is provided to removably secure a counter strap 16 and cable 20, the latter connecting the conductor 10 to a leg band 22 having a conduction plate 24 contacting the leg of the user.

When being worn the user in placing his weight on the device causes the flexible tube 8 to flatten and effect intermediate contact on the top and bottom surfaces of the conductor 10, whereas formerly, it had been merely in side edge contact with the conductor as shown in FIG. 3. Electrical connection is thereby established between the surfaces of the floor via both surfaces of the elongated conductor. It is understood that contact with the body may be made at locations other than the leg such as the sole of the users foot, as by replacing the cable and garter combination with a conductive sole strap. The strap 6 and the ankle strap 16 assure complete security of the device on the users shoe. 7

Various modifications of the body grounding device as above described may be eifected by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope and principle of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A body grounding device comprising a resilient strap adapted to be worn over the top of the users shoe, a flexible tube adapted to be disposed under the shoe, said tube being fabricated of a conductive material, an elongated conductor inserted in said tube and connected to said strap, said conductor being adapted to be in surface to surface contact with said flexible tube on flattening thereof due to the Weight of the user, and means for electrically connecting said conductor with the body of the user.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein a counter strap is releasably connected to the conductor.

3. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said body connecting means is also releasably connected to the conductor whereby said means are replacable.

4. A device as defined in claim 3 wherein said body connecting means include a cable and a conductive garter for wearing on the users leg.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1960 Legge 317-2 1/1962 Legge 317-2 

